NISEKO NEWS
The total number of people transported by lifts in Niseko’s four major ski resorts this winter recovered 87% compared to pre-COVID levels in winter 2018/19.
The total number from December 2022 to March 2023 was about 7.91 million people in Hirafu, Hanazono, Annupuri, and Niseko Village, which is 2.4 times more people compared to 2021/22, the Hokkaido Shinbun newspaper reports.
The huge return of visitors is attributed to the government’s significant ease in immigration restrictions from October last year.
In December, there were many visitors from Hong Kong and Southeast Asia, followed by Australia and North America in January and February, and another surge of Asian visitors in March.
According to Niseko Village, there were more Korean visitors than ever before in February, and Hanazono explains how there were many first-time users from Thailand and Philippines from March.
There was also an increase in North American visitors using the Ikon Pass, a season pass shared with ski resorts all around the world.
Japan overall is experiencing a rebound in international tourism, with 1.81 million foreigners visiting this March, which is two-thirds of pre-COVID levels, according to NHK.
Sources:
Hokkaido Shinbun 20 April, 2023
NHK News April 19, 2023
Real Estate Listings
Invest in Life… Powderlife
Accommodation Inspiration
This is the Life… Powderlife
Subscribe
Sign up to receive Powderlife and Summerlife Digital Magazines as they are published and select other topics that interests you.